Slug casting machine



. July 16, 1935. R. R. MEAD f 2,008,461

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May l5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR.

LLM -l www I -,NGN..|E| MIM NU July'l, 1935. R, R MEAD 2,008,461

` SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1954 3 sheets-sheet 2 A TTORZE 11s:

` SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES SLUG d CASTING *MACHINE Richard R. Mead, Queens Village, N. Y., assigner to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a. corporation of New York Application May 15, 1934, Serial No. 725,704

14 Claims.

This invention relates to slug castingA machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532nto O. Mergenthaler, wherein acomposed line of matrices is presented momentarily to one face of a slotted mold, a metal pot brought against the opposite face of the mold, and molten metal injected byV than heretoforen making up the stereotype" matrices This is especially true in the production of stereotypes by the so-called dry flong method, and it has been found in practice that some of the slugs have a tendency to break down under the increased pressure, this tendency being due to a spongy texture of the slugs caused by the presence therein of air holes which result from the mixing of air with the molten metal during the castingr operation. Furthermore, the mixing of air with the molten metal often produces air holes in the character-bearing surfaces of the slugs, resulting in the production of imperfect impressions.

This mixing of air with the molten metal during casting is due either to improper venting of the moldV cavity or to improper injection of the molten metal thereinto, or both. Various factors contribute to the improper injection of molten metal into'the mold cavity, and although great advances have been made to overcome the diii`1 40 culties encountered and to vkeep up withjthe mod-1 ern trend in printingynevertheless the develope ments up to the present time are not 'entirely satisfactory, However, before stating the advantages of the present invention and the manner in which existing difficulties are obviated by it, a few words of explanation may be useful.

The delivery passage formed in the throat section of the `metal pot extends upwardly and forwardly from the pump cylinder tothe mold conslotuiin some machines 42 ems), and the height of the delivery passage at this point is approxi-v mately equal to the thickness ofthe body of the largest slugV or type bar which the particular machine is adapted to cast, usually a so-called ribbed or skeleton slug. The area of the delivery passage is such that ordinarily a uniform volume of metal can be forced therethrough by the metal pump at a sufficient rate of flow and under sufficient pressure to fill the mold completely and toV expel all the air therein before the metal in the mold begins to solidify, and this volume is determined so that it will be sufficient when slugs are cast Vhaving a character-bearing portion which overhangs the slug body.

` Heretofore, it was foundl that a single row of discharge openings in the mouthpiece of the throat section was not adequate to allow the rapid passage of a sufliciently large quantity of metal for casting the large ribbed slugs. To make the holes largerwas impracticable because when the metal recedes in the delivery passage after casting the back suction of air is too great and difficulties arise when the mold is separated from the mouthpiece. For this reason, a plurality of superposed rows of dischargev openings has been employed, but the arrangement is not wholly satisfactory because there is presented between the rows of openings a fiat surface against which the metalforced through the delivery passage strikes and the resistance offered causes a swirl or eddy which impedes the proper flow of metal through the rows of openings and the metal which does pass into the mold becomes chilled andsolidied before the mold is filled and the air completely exhausted therefrom. Because of this, the slugs are improperly cast to the extent that not only are their bodyportions structurally weak but their overhanging character-bearing surfaces are also weak and ragged, causing the slugs either to break down in use or to produce imperfections in the printed matter, as already stated;

The present invention is intended to overcome these and other diiculties and provides a metal pot having a throat section formed with a deliveryv passage in which there is provided means for diverting the metal forced therethrough into different paths of flow leading directly to the different superposed rows of discharge openings formed in the mold engaging portion of the throat section or mouthpiece. Specifically,v the invention provides a wedge-shaped member arranged in the delivery passage adjacent the inner face of the mouthpiece, which tapers rearwardly into the passage and breaks it up into its operation and the other automatic.

separate channels leading directly to the diierent rows of discharge openings. As a further feature,

this wedge-shaped member is movable eitherV manually or automatically to clear `or obstruct one or more of the rows of discharge openings, as desired.

In carrying out the invention, two preferred embodiments Vare proposed, one being manual in The former is intended for use in machines adapted to cast slugs having a wide range of body sizes and wherein the mouthpiece is formed with two or more superposed rows of discharge openings, the wedge-shaped member being movable to diierent set positions torclear all rows of openings orto obstruct certain and clear other of the rows of openings. In the latter embodiment, the wedgetically by a series or levers connected to a periodi-Y cally movable part of Ythe machine, so that just prior to the injection of metal into lthe mold itv will be moved to bring its slots intoalinement with mouthpiece and after the injection, and before Y the metal is allowed toy recedein the delivery passage, will be returnedv to its original position to close the rows oi discharge openings and hence prevent a back suction of air into the delivery passage.

ln the accompanying drawings, the invention Y has been shown merely by way of example andA in preferred form and obviously many modifications and variations thereof will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit oi the invention. Itis to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any particular form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are speciied in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: Y Fig. l is a front elevation of the discharge end of the throat section, showing the mouthpiece partly broken away;

Fig; 2 is a transverse section taken on theline il of Fig. l;

g. 3 is a section Ytaken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. e is a View similar to Fig. 1 of a modiiied `form. of the invention; L

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the lineV 5--5 ofvFig. 4; Y v .l

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showingk the wedge-shaped member ina different position;

Fig. 'l is a transverse section of a modied form of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;

' Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front view of the mouthpiece shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a portion of a linotype machine, partly broken away to show another embodiment 0f the invention Fig. 10 is a plan View of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. ll is a transverse sectional view of the dis# charge end of the throat section, showing the embodiment illustrated in Fig'. 9 with the parts in one position; and

Fig. l2 is a view similarl to Fig. 11showir1gthe parts in another position.

rlhe block is adapted to actl the rows of discharge openings in theV Referring first to Fig. 9: After the line of matrices X and expansible spacebands Y have been composed and delivered to the first elevator A in the regular manner, the latter, which is slidably mounted in the vise frame B, descends` to present the composed line to the face of the slotted mold C carried by the rotatable mold .disk D, whereupon the line of matrices is alined with the mold slot C1 and the line justied by the upward movement of the justification lever E and bar r(not shown) controlled by the cam F mounted on the main cam shaft F1. Subsequently, the metal Y Y pot G, supportedu by legs G1 pivotally mounted on the vise frame as at B1, is rocked forwardly by the cam F2 which engages with the roller G2 carried by the resilient rocking lever G3. The forward rocking of the metal pot G brings the mouthpiece G4y thereof into engagement with the rear face of the mold C. The mold slot C1 is thus closed at the rear by the mouthpiece G4 and at thevfrontby the justied line of matrices'X` and spaceban'ds Y and is ready for the injection of molten metal'to-form a slug or type bar. `VThe metal is injected inthe well known manner by a plunger (not shown) arranged in a'well in the metal pot Gland carried by a plunger rod H, pivoted to a lever H1 normally held in raised position by the engagement of a roller carried thereby with the periphery of a cammounted on the main cam shaft F1 and which in its rotation presents a depression in its periphery to .allow the descent of the plunger in response to the action ofla pow. erful spring pressureon the lever H1.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, for example, the metal pot mouthpiece G4 is formed ordinarily with aplurality ofl super-posed discharge openings g, whichY aline with theV mold slot Cl and communicate with a delivery passage G5 leading rearwardly through the throat section G6 to the pump well of Vthe metal pot G. The mold slot Cl is determined by the iixed lower or body portion c and movable upper or cap portion cl of the mold and the lower row of discharge openings g in the mouthpiece G4r will always aline with the mold slot regardless ofiits size. If the capportion c1 of the mold is raised for casting a thick (ribbed) slug, both rows of openingsV gV register with the slot C1, but, when lowered beyond the level of the upper row of openings g for casting solid (ribless) slugs, the cap portion'cl, which is adapted to Veifect a metal tight seal with the front face of the mouthpiece G4, shuts off the flow of metal through the upper row of openings. l Y

Y As thus far described the parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or maybe the sarneas embodied in the commercial machines and therefore require no further description.

VCorning now tothe present invention, there is provided in the delivery passage G5, adjacent the rear face of the mouthpiece G4, a Wedge-shaped member J, whichis arranged lengthwise of the passage/intermediate vthe superposed rows of discharge openings grand which tapers rearwardly into'the passage (see Fig. Y2) to form two separate channels G'7 and G8, leading'directly to the upper and lowerY row` of Y discharge openings g, respectively. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the member J is detachably secured in fixed position tothe throat section G6, as by screws J1. ,It'will V,also be noted that the discharge openings g in the upper row are arranged at an upward inclination, being parallel to the upper inclined surface of the member J and forming a straight line continuation of the upper light dotted lines in Fig. 6.

channel G", while the openings of the lower row are horizontal and form a straight line continuation of the lower channel G8. Hence, during the descent of the pump plunger to force molten metal into the mold, the metalV iiows in a Vcontinuous stream through the delivery passage G5, but before reaching the mouthpiece G4 it is diverted or broken up by the wedge-shaped member J into separate paths of ow leading directly to the two rows of discharge openings g and into the mold, thus obviating the swirl or eddy occurring when the single stream of metal meets with the resistance of the normally existing iiat wall G9 and the resultant impeding of the direct and rapid flow of metal through the opening g.

The direction of the metal through the discharge openings g is further laided by the construction of the inner face of the mouthpiece G1 in the vicinity of each opening. With reference to Fig. 3, it will be noted that a ilared recess G10 is formed in the rear face of the mouthpiece in communication with each opening g, thus eliminating the presence of a at wall of any appreciable area which would offer resistance to the flow of metal.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 there is illustrated a modication of the invention, wherein the wedgeshaped member J is pivotally mounted in the delivery passage, being journaled at opposite ends near'its rear or thin edge in opposite side walls of the throat section. One journal pin J2 (see Fig. Il) extends through the side wall of the throat section and has xed to it a crank arm K, formed at its distal end with a bearing K1 adapted to carry a spring detent L. The detent is normally held by a spring L1 in projected position for engagement in one of a series of holes L2 formed in a boss L2 cast integrally with or otherwise secured to the throat section G5. Theforward or thick edge of the member J is arcuate and adapted to ride in a curved-walled recess G11 formed in the mouthpiece G4.

With thisarrangement, the retraction of the detent L permits the member J to be moved to any one of three different positions. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the detent L engages in the center hole L2 and the member J lies intermediate the two rows of discharge openings y, defining two separate channels lG7 and G8 (just as the embodiment shown in .Fig 2) leading di-` rectly to the upper and lowerrows of openings g, respectively. This is the position that the memberJ occupies when a large mold is inuse for casting a ribbed slug. If on the other hand, the mold in use is for casting a solid slug, the detent L is retracted and the crank K moved to the position shown by the heavy lines in Fig. 6, thereby rocking the member J upwardly to close the upper row of discharge openings @l` and permit the passage of molten metal through the lower row of openings only. Likewise if it is desired to Ahave only the'upper row of openings g clear, the member J may 'be rocked downwardly to close the lower row of openings, as shown by the Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. and 8, the mouthpiece Gl is formed with five superposed rows of discharge openings corresponding to the shape of a cored mold for casty ing the large ribbed slugathis arrangement perwith the unbroken portion of the mold slot or cavity C1 (see Fig. 8) in which the solid body portion of the slug is cast, whereas the openings of the four upper ,rows are spaced apart laterally and are adaptedto aline with the spaces between vthe cores C3l in which the ribs for supporting the crank K is preferably provided with a depressible detent M for locking the member J in set position, a, retractable detent such as that shown in Fig. fi could be employed.

In this embodiment the wedge-shaped member J is movable to five different set positions, in each of which it may be locked by the engagement of the detent M in one of a series of slots M1 formed `in a boss M2 lon the throat section G6. The forward or thick edge oi the member J is of such size that in different positions it will close either one ortwo` of the rows of openings. For example, in the position shown in Fig. 7 the member J closes only the central row of openings indicated by the numeral 3, leaving clear or unobstructed the openings I and 2 above it and the openings 4 and 5 below it and defining, as in the instances already described, upper and lower channels G7 and G8, respectively, leading directly to the unobstructed upper and lower rows of openings. This is the position occupied by the member J when casting very large ribbed slugs having comparatively thick solid body portions. In casting ribbed slugs having thin body portions, the member J is moved and the detent M seated in the notch M1 indicated by the numerals I, 2, 5, whereby the member J closes the rows of openings marked 3 and 4 and leaves rows I, 2, 5 unobstructed, so that metal going into the formationoi the body portion of the slug is injected into the mold through the opening 5 and that going into the formation of the supporting ribs is injected through openings I and 2. On the other hand, if there -is brought into position a mold for casting a slug with small or narrow supporting ribs, the member J is rocked upwardly and the detent M seated in the slot M1 marked with the numerals 3, 4, 5. In this position, the member J closes rows of openings l and 2, leaving rows 3,V 4 and 5 unobstructed, and serves to decrease the size of the delivery passage G5 at the point of discharge and thus lessen the tendency for a swirl or eddy of the metal to occur and also reduce the area of the front face of the mouthpiece which must have a metal-tight engagement with the rear face of the mold to prevent a metal squirt.

Coming now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the member J is formed as an integral part of a rectangular block R, arranged in a recess G12 formed in the throat section G6 immediately behind the mouthpiece G4. The block R is slidable vertically in the recess G12 and is formed with slots r, one above and below the member J, which are adapted to register with the discharge openings g in the mouthpiece when the block R is in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. l2. When the block R is in its upper position, as shown in Fig. 11, it serves to obstruct the discharge openings y and cut ofi communication ofthe delivery passage G5 with the eXterior.

In carrying out the automatic feature of `the invention, the block R is formed at opposite ends Y sion spring-R8, of less strength than theV spring R7, has one end secured adjacent the distal end of the lever arm R4, asiat R9, and its Cllposite end secured to a xed pin R10 on the metal pot G.

In theoperation of the machine, the spring R7, through the link R6 and lever Varm Rx and against the pull of the spring R8, maintains the block R in its upper position as shown in Fig. l1. Just prior to the injection of molten metal into the lmold, lthe line of matrices X is justiiied by the expansion of the spacebands Y, which expansion is effected through a justihcation bar by the upward movement of the justification lever E in response to the action of Va spring El when a roller E2 on the lever E rides into a depression formed in the periphery of the cam?. When the justification lever rises, relieving the tension ofthe spring R7, the spring R8 exercises itself to pull upV on the lever arm R4 to root: the shaft R3 and through the levers R2 move the block R to its lower position as shown in Fig. l2. Iminediately thereafter the -mold is sealed by the line of matrices X and the mouthpiece G4 (which heretofore have been but loosely engaged with the mold) and molten metal isV injected through the unobstructed channels formed by the slots r and discharge openings g. ,-Suhsequently, after the metal in the mold has solidified, the roller E2 on the justification lever E rides out Vofthe depression in the cam F and forces the lever E .downwardly to remove the justication bar from engagement with the spacebands Y and allow fthe latter to return to their unexpanded condin 'tion in the unlocking of the line of matrices so that it may be withdrawn from engagement with the front face of the mold. As the lever E descends, the pull of the spring R7 overcomes that of the spring R,8 to rock the lever arm R4 downwardly and return the block R to its upper position to shut orf communication oi the delivery passage G5 with the exterior. The metal pot G y then recedesY to break the engagement of the mouthpiece G4 with the rear face ofthe mold, but because the discharge openings g have been obstructed by theeblock R the back suction of air into the delivery passage, which ordinarily takes place, is prevented.'

The arrangement just described obviates several objectionable features of existing machines.

Forexampie, when the back suction of air into the delivery passage G5 occurs as the metal recedes in the passage, oxidation o'f the metal clinging to the walls of the passage Vtakes place which, over a period of time, causes an accumulation ci oxidized metaland gradually lessons the area of the passage which, already .pointed out, is predetermined for a machineof dennitecapacity with Yrespect to the volume of nieta! forced through the passage and the pressure by which it is forced. In time, this accumulation becomes so great that the pump cannot force a sufficient volume or metal through therpassage rapidly enough to completely fill the mold before the met--V al l'st to reach the mold is chilled and begins to solidify. Moreoverfall of the air which has beenv sucked back into the delivery passage must be forced ahead of the metal into the mold and then completely exhausted. Thisrcoupled with the clogged passage which' prevents the rapid injection of the metal gives rise Vto an improperly cast slugyweakened by the presence of air holes which exist because of the failure of the great volume of air to have been exhausted completely from the mold cavity before solidiiication of the metal, and a slug of this character, as stated heretofore, has atexture so spongy that not only are the characters formed with ragged edges which rgive rise to imperfect impressions, but the Aslug is too weak to stand thegreat pressures to which it is subjected in carrying out modern printing methods.

Having thus described my invention/what 1 Y'formed with a passage through which molten metal is adapted to be forced into the mold, the

discharge end of the throat section being formed v with a plurality of superposed rows of discharge openings, and n'ieansI arranged in the passage. of the throat section for diverting the metal flowing through the passage into different paths of fiow to the rows of openings.

2. In or for a slug casting machine, a metal pot, inciuding, in co1nbination,a throat section formed with a passage through which molten metal is adapted tube forced into the mold, the discharge end of the throat section beingV formed witha plurality of superposed rowsof discharge openings, and means arranged in the passage of the throat section adjacent the inner face of the mold engaging portion and tapering rearwardly into said passage for diverting the metal flowing through the passage into different paths of fiow to the rows of openings.

3. In or for a slug casting machine, a metal pot, including, in combination a throat section formed with `a passage through which molten metal is'adapted to be forced into the mold, a mouthpiece for said throat section formed Vwith a plurality of rsuperposed rows of` discharge openings,and means arranged in the passage of the throat section adjacentV the inner face of the mouthpiece for diverting Y the metal ilowing through the passage into different paths of flow to the rows `of openings. Y V

14. In or for a slug casting machine, a metal f pot, including, in combination, a throat section formed with a passage through which molten metal is adapted to be forced into thermold, a mouthpiece for said throat section Vformed with a plurality of superposed rows of dischargeY openings, and means arranged in the throat passage and extending throughout the width thereof and tapering rearwardly thereinto from the inner face of the mouthpiece to divert the metal iiowing through the passage into aY plurality of separate passes leadingV directly Vto the different rows of openings, the openings of each row being formed in the mouthpiece as straight line continuations of the pass with which they register.

5. A combination as set forth in claim l, wherein the means for diverting the iiow of metalV through the throat passage is movable to closeopenings are provided, Vand wherein the means for diverting the flow of Vmetal is mounted in the throat passagev and movable to different positions to close one or the other of said rows of openings, as desired.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that two rows of discharge openings are provided, and wherein the means for diverting the flow of metal is mounted in the throat passage and movable to different positions to close one or the other of saidrows of openings or leave both rows open, as desired.

8. A combination as set forth in claim l, characterized by the fact that two rows of discharge openings are provided, and wherein the means for diverting the flow of metal is a wedge-shaped member journaled at oppositeends in the side walls of the throat section, and including means operable to rock said member to different positions to close one or the other of said rows of openings, as desired.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that two rows of discharge openings are provided, and wherein the means for diverting the flow of metal is a wedge-shaped member journaled at opposite ends in the side walls of the throat section, and including meansl operable to rock said member to diierent positions to close one or the other of said rows of openings or leave both rows open, asdesired, and means for locking said member in any of its different positions.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that more than two rows of discharge openings are provided, and wherein the means for diverting the flow of metal is mounted in the throat passage and movable Yto different positions to close one or more of said rows of openings.

l1. A combination as set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that more than two rows of discharge openings are provided, and wherein the means for diverting the ow of metal is mounted in the throat passage and movable to different positions to close one or more of said rows of openings, and including means for moving said metal diverting means and maintaining thev same in any of its different positions.

12. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a metal pot having a throat section formed with a passage through which molten metal is :forced into the mold for casting, said passage opening to the exterior through a plurality of superposed rows of discharge openings above the level of metal in the throat section,

means movably arranged in the passage through the throat section for obstructing and clearing said rows of openings, said means normally occupying an obstructing position, and connections between said means and a periodically movable part of the machine for effecting the movement of said means to Vclearvthe openings for the discharge of metal during casting.

13.` In a slug casting machine, the combination of a metal pot having a throat section formed with a passage through which molten metal is forced into the mold for casting, said passage opening to the exterior through a plurality of superposed rows of discharge openings above the level of metal in the throat section, means movably arranged in the passage through the throat section for obstructing and clearing said rows of openings, and being formed to divert metal into separate paths of iiow to the rows of openings when in clearing position, said means normally occupying an obstructing position, and connections between said means and a periodically movable part of the machine for effecting the movement of said means to clear the openings for the discharge of metal during casting.

14. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a metal pot having a throat section formed with a passage through which molten metal is forced into the mold for casting, said passage opening to theVeXterior through a plurality of superposed rows of discharge openings above the level of metal in the throat section, said openings being formed in a mouthpiece secured to the throat section, a shutter arranged in the throat passage adjacent the inner face or" the mouthpiece and having a limited vertical movement, means forming a part of the shutter for diverting the ow of metal in the passage through the throat section into separate passes, openings in the shutter forming a communication between said passes and the rows of openings in the mouthpiece, means for yieldingly holding the shutter in a position with its cornmunicating openings out of registry with the openings in the mouthpiece, and connections with a periodically movable part of the machine for moving the shutter in opposition toits yieldable holding means to momentarily bring its communicating openings into registry with the openings in the mouthpiece for the discharge of metal during casting.

RICHARD R. MEAD. 

